Chapter 4. Writing Collaboratively © 2004 by Bedford/St. Martin's1 Effective Collaboration Involves Two Related Challenges: Maintaining the group as a productive, friendly working unit. Accomplishing the task.

Chapter 4. Writing Collaboratively © 2004 by Bedford/St. Martin's2 Advantages of Collaboration It draws on a greater knowledge base. It draws on a greater skills base. It provides a better idea of how the audience will read the document. It improves communication among employees. It helps acclimate new employees to an organization.

Chapter 4. Writing Collaboratively © 2004 by Bedford/St. Martin's3 Disadvantages of Collaboration It takes more time than individual writing. It can lead to groupthink. It can yield a disjointed document. It can lead to inequitable workloads. It can reduce collaborators' motivation to work hard on the document. It can lead to interpersonal conflict.

Chapter 4. Writing Collaboratively © 2004 by Bedford/St. Martin's4 Start to Define Your Group's Agenda by: Defining the group's task. Choosing a group leader. Defining tasks for each group member. Establishing working procedures. Establishing a procedure for resolving conflict. Creating a style sheet. Establishing a work schedule.

Chapter 4. Writing Collaboratively © 2004 by Bedford/St. Martin's5 Conduct Efficient Meetings by: Arriving on time. Sticking to an agenda. Recording the important decisions made at the meeting. Summarizing your accomplishments and making sure every member understands his or her assignment.

Chapter 4. Writing Collaboratively © 2004 by Bedford/St. Martin's6 Communicating Diplomatically Listen carefully. Let the speaker finish. Give everyone a chance to speak. Avoid personal remarks and insults. Don't overstate your position. Don't get emotionally attached to your own ideas. Ask pertinent questions. Pay attention to nonverbal communication.

Chapter 4. Writing Collaboratively © 2004 by Bedford/St. Martin's7 Critiquing a Draft Start with a positive comment. Discuss the larger issues first. Talk about the writing, not the writer. Focus on the group's document, not on the group member's draft.

Chapter 4. Writing Collaboratively © 2004 by Bedford/St. Martin's8 Two Reasons That Electronic Media Are Useful Collaborative Tools Face-to-face meetings are not always possible or convenient. Electronic media enable people to communicate asynchronously. That is, a person can read an when it is convenient, not when the writer sent it. Electronic communication is digital. Group members can store and revise comments and drafts, incorporating them as the document develops.

Chapter 4. Writing Collaboratively © 2004 by Bedford/St. Martin's9 Communicating Electronically May Require: Using to send files. Using the comment, revision, and highlighting features on a word processor.

Chapter 4. Writing Collaboratively © 2004 by Bedford/St. Martin's10 When Collaborating Across Cultures, Consider That People From Other Cultures Might: Find it difficult to assert themselves in collaborative groups. Be unwilling to respond with a definite "no". Be reluctant to admit when they are confused or to ask for clarification. Avoid criticizing others. Avoid initiating new tasks or performing creatively.